Britney Spears Files Suit in Stinky Perfume Case

Britney Spears is firing back at the perfume company that is suing her -- in the form of her very own lawsuit against the company.

Britney has filed a cross-complaint, claiming Brand Sense was all about radio silence when it came to accounting for how much money she was supposed to get for the sale of a perfume -- Radiance -- she was hocking. And there was a lot of money on the line, Brit claims -- millions of bucks worth of the fragrance were sold.

Brit says Brand Sense withheld Britney's share of the proceeds for months, failing to pay her interest on the delayed payments.

Brand Sense is suing Brit, claiming she cut them out of her deal with Elizabeth Arden. Britney says Brand Sense was not cut out of the deal.

Source: TMZ

Radiance: Choose your own lawsuit.

Bellamy Attorney Issues Legal Statement about Lyrics Dispute

Today, attorney Christopher E. Schmidt, legal representation to country music's the Bellamy Brothers, released the following statement in response to pending legal action against pop star Britney Spears:

The Bellamy Brothers have been artists, in the true sense of the word, with over 50 hit songs; more than 20 of those songs reaching the No. 1 position in the country charts over the past 35 years. The music business has given them the rare opportunity to enjoy making a living writing and playing music all over the world. Even though David and Howard are some of the nicest and most down to earth guys you will ever meet, they are also smart and experienced businessmen. So naturally, David asked me for my legal opinion of whether or not the Britney Spears recent single "Hold It Against Me" infringed on the copyright of their song "If I said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me" that David wrote in 1979.

In my opinion, it is not necessarily the similarity of the titles that is of legal concern. This would be more of a trademark issue. Rather, the issue is whether or not the exact lyrics "would you hold it against me" are used in the same way in the hook of the song. It becomes somewhat uncanny if you simply double the beat of the Bellamy Brothers’ song and match it up with Britney's version. Literally thousands of fans for both artists have also taken notice. They are scratching their heads questioning whether or not Britney’s song "lifted" part of the song previously written by David Bellamy. But for me, the scale tips substantially in knowing that Dr. Luke not only co-produced Britney's song with Max Martin, but that Dr. Luke also co-wrote the song with Max Martin and others.

This isn't the first time Max Martin and Dr. Luke have been accused of copyright infringement.

Dr. Luke was sued in 2007 for copyright infringement along with Avril Lavigne and her record label for “lifting” portions of Avril's hit song "Girlfriend." The suit subsequently settled in 2008. There is also a current Katy Perry song that features Snoop Dogg called "California Gurls" produced and co-written by Dr. Luke and Max Martin (among other writers, including Katy Perry) where The Beach Boys' record label has filed a diminutive claim against the writers and publishers of the song for credit and royalties. Dr. Luke was party to yet another copyright infringement suit in 2008 for the song "Feels Like Tonight" by Daughtry. Although this is not conclusive evidence that Dr. Luke intentionally lifted a phrase from a Bellamy Brothers song, it certainly shows a possible pattern and warrants a more serious look into the matter.

As a transactional attorney primarily focusing on managing my clients' careers and protecting their intellectual property, I had a duty to bring in the heavyweights to help us further evaluate the situation. I put a call in to Daniel Moskowitz who is a friend and colleague with the Nashville law firm King & Ballow. Daniel had mentioned to me before that one of the partners in the litigation section of his firm, Richard Busch, had won a multi-million dollar suit against Universal/Aftermath Records for Eminem. Richard also received a jury award of over four million dollars for his clients against Bad Boy Records. Most importantly, I recalled Daniel telling me that Richard recently established new precedence regarding copyright infringement in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit when the court affirmed a ruling that copyright infringement may occur by the copying of a single common word such as "Dog," if the alleged infringer uses that word in the new composition in the same way as it was used in the original musical composition.

This past week, the Bellamy Brothers and I met with Richard Busch to engage his services and handle this matter appropriately. Richard has submitted the two songs to a renowned musicologist for evaluation and expert opinion. From here, it is just a matter of trying to work things out amicably with everyone involved.

Source: Bellamy Brothers' Official Site

Brit's legal team is gonna eat them for breakfast.

Britney Spears Loses Legal Ruling In Bodyguard Lawsuit

The following italicized article is from www.radaronline.com:

Britney Spears lost a legal ruling in the lawsuit filed against her by a former bodyguard, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

A judge ruled against Team Spears’ attempt to have that lawsuit consolidated under the conservatorship that still governs Britney.

Instead, the case, brought by Fernando Flores, will be fought in Los Angeles Superior Court. The judge handling Britney’s conservatorship will not hear the case. Spears motion to consolidate the lawsuit under the conservatorship was denied in a brief ruling issued Tuesday.

"The Court finds that the cases....are not related and the Motion to Transfer this action to the Probate Department of the Central District is denied. Each case is to remain in the departments in the respective districts where they are currently assigned. Per request and agreement of counsel, the court allows 20 days to respond to the complaint,” the judge wrote.

Flores made shocking allegations against the pop star, including that he saw Britney physically strike her two children, and that she paraded around naked in front of him. Lawyers for the conservatorship contend that Flores’ claims are baseless and without merit.

Source: Radar Online

Britney Manager: "There Will 100% Be a Lawsuit"

The following italicized article is from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears put abuse rumors to rest when she visited beau Jason Trawick at work in L.A. Wednesday.

Earlier that afternoon, the Spears' reps denied that Trawick, 38, beat the singer, calling reports by tabloid Star and RadarOnline "laughable" and "utterly false."

With her hair tucked under a fedora, Spears, 29, joined Trawick at the William Morris Endeavor Entertainment offices for a special screening of The Secretariat on behalf of Hathaway Sycamores, the largest provider for children's mental health services in L.A. County.

"They were both very upbeat. They were smiling and seemed very happy to be there," Rob Myers, executive vice president of development at Hathaway-Sycamores, tells UsMagazine.com.

After the couple greeted the families and introduced the film, "the buzz in the room was fantastic," Myers says. "The look on the children's faces was just priceless."

And despite the allegations against him, Trawick showed little signs of worry during Spears' surprise appearance.

"Jason was obviously having a tough day, but he kept his commitment to bring Britney in to the screening," a source tells Us. "He acted professional at all times despite the false story."

"It's amazing that Star continues to try to defend their story by putting out more and more pieces of a fraudulent recording. Everyone knows it is not her," Spears' manager Larry Rudolph tells Us. "The more they put out, the more ridiculous they look. The lawyers are drawing up the legal papers right now; there will 100 percent be a lawsuit. We are suing."

Source: US Weekly

Britney: I Need Protection from a 'Shake Down!!'

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

The people in charge of Britney Spears are asking a judge to protect her from a potential "shake down" by a former bodyguard who they believe could release info that may put Britney in danger.

It all has to do with a lawsuit filed by Fernando Flores, a former bodyguard who claims the pop star sexually harassed him by, among other things, walking around her home in the nude.

Flores wants the case tried in civil court -- but Britney's conservators are concerned that Flores will use the public forum to release private information to extort a settlement out of Britney.

In new legal docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Team Britney begs the judge to move the case to a probate court, where all of the accusations could be kept from the public ... and protect her from a "shake down."

The conservators also believe, "There is a real possibility that Ms. Spears will be exposed to danger by the release of confidential and personal information."

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for the end of the month.
Source: TMZ

Britney Spears Sued by Former Nanny

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Under the category ... hired help costs a frickin' fortune ... Britney Spears is being sued by a former nanny who claims she's owed $35,202 for one month's work.

Ferial Zaltash claims Britney hired her as a personal assistant and nanny to her children in September, 2007. Zaltash claims she resigned a month later.

For that month, Zaltash claims Spears owes $35,202 for nanny and personal services. The suit claims Zaltash made a demand for payment but Brit refused.

Zaltash also wants $19,940 for penalties for unpaid wages and overtime.

Beats workin' for Meg Whitman at $23 an hour ...

No comment from Britney's camp.

Source: TMZ

Ex-Bodyguard Defends Britney

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

We already know where one former Britney Spears bodyguard stands on her mothering acumen—or lack thereof.

Now, in an exclusive interview with E! News, another former protector of the pop tart has a strikingly different account of Spears' mommying prowess.

"In our time with Britney, we've never seen anything in a negative sense," Mark Chinapen, who worked for the pop star in 2007-08, tells E! News.

Chinapen says that he often saw Spears with her two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, and that he never saw anything as described in the lawsuit filed this week by former bodyguard Fernando Flores, who claimed to have seen Spears "savagely hit" one of her boys.

"If there was an issue, we would have said something to her or authorities when it came to the kids," says Chinapen, CEO of Big Time Affairs, who has also provided security for Carmen Electra and Lindsay Lohan. "But we never saw anything negative."

Chinapen says that during his tenure the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services conducted an investigation into alleged abuse, "but at the end of the day, there was no issue. They came, were happy with the results, and walked away."

Chinapen says that his time with Spears was relatively calm—nothing like the erratic, harassing behavoir Flores accused the singer of.

"It was very normal. Starbucks runs, going for lunch, driving, shopping, buying clothes, and going out to events. That's it," Chinapen says.

"Britney is one of those people that likes to conduct her own business and go around and do her thing around town. She's not looking for someone to be in her face 24/7, just someone to assist when they're needed."

Adds Chinapen of life as a celebrity bodyguard, "You're taking care of someone, protecting them from the outsiders, whether it be the paparazzi or a fan that is getting too close, and that's it. There's nothing bigger than that."

Source: E! Online

Statement about Mr. Flores's Lawsuit

This lawsuit is another unfortunate situation where someone is trying to take advantage of the Spears family and make a name for himself. The Department of Children and Family Services conducted a proper investigation surrounding Mr. Flores' accusations and have closed the case without any further action. Ms. Spears and her attorneys have every expectation that this matter will be dismissed by the courts.

Source: BritneySpears.com

Britney Spears Being Sued By Stylist After Refusing To Pay For Clothes

The following italicized article is from www.showbizspy.com:

Britney Spears is being sued by a US stylist for more than $50,000 - after allegedly refusing to pay for clothes.

Nancy Rosu claims she hasn’t been paid by the Toxic singer since August 2007.

The Las Vegas-based consultant says she bought dozens of outfits for Spears and her children and had them shipped to Los Angeles.

In a lawsuit filed in Las Vegas District Court, she says she has worked with the chart star since August 2006.

Her lawyer, Natricia Tricano, said Spears owes her client an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 for clothing, including custom items, that Rosu purchased on the singer’s behalf.

She said Rosu has tried to contact Spears’ personal assistants and accountants for about two months but has yet to be repaid.

Tricano told a US newspaper that her client still wants to work with the troubled singer.

She said: “There’s no ill will or hard feelings.

“I know she’s [Spears] got a lot of things going on in her life.”

The suit was filed on January 18.

Last summer, Spears’ bodyguard, Cesar Julio Camera, got into a brawl with photographers at the Wynn Las Vegas hotel and casino. He was later cited for misdemeanour battery.

Source: Showbiz Spy

Britney's Outfits Cause Emotional Distress

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

A Las Vegas fashion consultant is suing Britney Spears for damages in excess of $50,000, claiming the popwreck stopped paying her for her services ... and it shows!

In a lawsuit filed on January 18 in Clark County District Court, and first reported by Norm Clark, Nancy Rosu claims that Brit had her buying clothes on her behalf, then reimbursed her later. But in August 2007, Rosu alleges Brit stopped paying her back.

Rosu is suing for breach of contract and, among other things, intentional infliction of emotional distress. Get in line, honey!

Source: TMZ